Should arms be sold to authoritarian regimes?
Should your country sell arms to authoritarian regimes?
- Never: these weapons can be used for repression
- Case by case, depending on the likely use of the weapons
- Yes: it creates jobs and carries diplomatic weight
What's at stake: The debate pits human rights against the jobs and alliances that arms exports bring.
The left's argument
Selling arms to authoritarian regimes makes us complicit in their rights abuses.
The centre's argument
Examine every contract case by case, using public criteria on how arms will be used.
The right's argument
These sales support jobs and alliances. Other countries would sell in our place.
And you, where do you stand?
Answer 30 situations like this one and find out where you stand, topic by topic.